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The Special Olympics 2003 World Summer Games Pictorial Is Now Ready!!
Click on World 2003 Games

To View Andy Maurer's 2003 World Summer Games Journal
Click on Andy's Journal

Riders with Special Needs


	Program clients/athletes presently come to Dream Riders from families in the midlands of South Carolina, local community group homes, referrals from Area 7 Special Olympics and a variety of special needs agencies who feel an individual may benefit from the program. Classes are geared to each rider as an individual, and are aimed towards his or her ability. With the help of our certified instructors and volunteers, a client/athlete gains a feeling of personal accomplishment and a freedom of movement they normally cannot experience in a wheelchair or with other aiding devices. Most importantly, Dream Riders’ athletes can benefit physically, emotionally and mentally through the interaction with the horses, instructors, volunteers and fellow equestrians, which makes this a truly unified sport. Disabilities presently served at Dream Riders include the following; Autism, Brain Trauma, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Emotional ,Disabilities Hearing Impaired, Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation, Multiple Sclerosis, Rhett Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord Injury, Visually impaired

Freedom
I look at you: you look at me
There's a magic between us that I can see
You nuzzle my hands, my face, my hair
Your breath gives warmth to my cold metal chair
I look into your big brown eyes
And I know that you are where my hope lies
They help me up onto your back
They give me the reins and I take up the slack
We are on our own: it's just me and you
But somehow, magically, you know just what to do
As you amble off slowly, around the ring
The feeling I have makes me want to jump and sing
All I could do before was sit in my chair
And people would always point and stare
But here on your back, I am up so high!
I'm sure if I tried, I could touch the sky!
I feel like a regular kid when I'm riding you
I can do the things regular kids do
I can move on my own, I can walk, I can run
I laugh right out loud, I am having such fun!
It feels so natural, so free and fine;
It is almost as if your legs were mine!
I am walking! It has happened-my dream has come true
A dream that has happened only through you

By Sara Have, at age 14 of KIDS 'n BITS, WV

Story below by Melissa Hayflinger, published in the Lexington Dispatch News
A rider in the Dream Riders program "Dream Riders Offers Fun for Unlikely Rider"

   Dream Riders, a therapeutic riding program in Lexington, continues to serve more people with special needs. Melissa Hayflinger, a special education teacher from Richland School District 2 and also a person with special needs herself, having cerebral palsy, recently gave her experience at dream riders from a teacher's perspective.
   "I am apprehensive as I race down I-20 West towards Lexington. It has been 20 years since I have been on a horse. Will I be able to ride without falling off? I don't know.
   "I see many friendly faces waiting to greet me as I bound down the hilly driveway on my way to the riding area. I meet Corky Dyer and Jennifer Stoudemire along with a handful of volunteers. Everyone is kind and doesn't laugh as I gingerly mount the horse that is waiting patiently for me."
   "During the lessons that follow, I learn about the care of the horse as well as how to ride him. There are many riders younger and more physically involved than I am, but we all seem to gain something from Jennifer's teaching."
   "She makes me stretch and use muscles that I never knew I had. She also works on following directions, socialization, and basic reading skills throughout the lesson. Riders are encouraged to talk to each other and interact with the volunteers."
   "I have found Dream Riders to be a fun form of speech, physical, and occupational therapy all rolled up into one. I would encourage disabled individuals to check out this fun and educational form of entertainment. It certainly beats the gym."
   Dream Riders has been developed with safety as a priority. This requires that registration, medical forms, and individual appraisals by the Dream Riders' certified instructors be completed before any applicant can be accepted into the program.

Dream Riders, a therapeutic riding program in Lexington, continues to serve more people with special needs. Melissa Hayflinger, a special education teacher from Richland School District 2 and also a person with special needs herself, having cerebral palsy, recently gave her experience at dream riders from a teacher's perspective. "I am apprehensive as I race down I-20 West towards Lexington. It has been 20 years since I have been on a horse. Will I be able to ride without falling off? I don't know. "I see many friendly faces waiting to greet me as I bound down the hilly driveway on my way to the riding area. I meet Corky Dyer and Jennifer Stoudemire along with a handful of volunteers. Everyone is kind and doesn't laugh as I gingerly mount the horse that is waiting patiently for me." "During the lessons that follow, I learn about the care of the horse as well as how to ride him. There are many riders younger and more physically involved than I am, but we all seem to gain something from Jennifer's teaching." "She makes me stretch and use muscles that I never knew I had. She also works on following directions, socialization, and basic reading skills throughout the lesson. Riders are encouraged to talk to each other and interact with the volunteers." "I have found Dream Riders to be a fun form of speech, physical, and occupational therapy all rolled up into one. I would encourage disabled individuals to check out this fun and educational form of entertainment. It certainly beats the gym." Dream Riders has been developed with safety as a priority. This requires that registration, medical forms, and individual appraisals by the Dream Riders' certified instructors be completed before any applicant can be accepted into the program.

Rider's Registration Packet

To receive a Rider's program application packet supply Dream Riders with your mailing address and phone number, plus a request for a new rider's packet or click on Rider's Registration Packet.

This may be done by email simply click on our logo Dream Riders

Or call us at (803) 957-7906